Greatpeace

– An elderly Japanese woman was scammed out of $748,000 worth of crypto tokens.
– The scammer posed as an employee of the local government and told her that her bank account was under attack.
– Crypto fraud is on the rise in Japan, with an increasing number of elderly victims being targeted.

Crypto fraud is on the rise in Japan, and one of its most recent victims was an elderly woman of eighty years. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Tamagawa station reported that the woman, from Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, was contacted by a person who claimed to be an employee of the ward offices.

The scammer told the woman that her bank account was under attack and that she should take her money out of the account before it was too late. The woman followed the caller’s instructions and used her smartphone to open a wallet on a crypto exchange, then used her bank details to buy approximately 97 million yen (around $748,000) worth of an unnamed token. The caller then requested the woman to create a password for the wallet, and shortly after the call, the crypto had “disappeared” from the wallet.

Officers believe the incident is “being investigated as a special fraud case”, as crypto fraud targeting the elderly in Japan is becoming increasingly common. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have asked citizens to remain vigilant, as scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to take advantage of vulnerable people.

In recent years there have been a number of high-profile cases in Japan involving elderly victims of crypto fraud. In 2018, an 84-year-old woman from Ashiya was scammed out of around $400,000 worth of Bitcoin, while in 2019 an elderly couple from Gifu were scammed out of around $100,000 worth of Ethereum.

The government has urged people to be aware of the dangers of online scams, and to exercise caution when dealing with any suspicious persons. People should never give out personal information, such as bank details or passwords, to anyone they don’t know and trust.

Crypto fraud is a serious issue in Japan, and authorities are doing all they can to protect vulnerable citizens. It’s important that everyone remains vigilant, and if you or someone you know has been a victim of a crypto scam, then you should contact the police immediately.

• Researchers at the South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb have identified seven factors that could affect bitcoin and crypto prices in 2023.
• These factors include the Federal Reserve’s decision to ease austerity measures and whether or not Russia will green-light its trading companies to use cryptoassets as a means of settlement in cross-border deals.
• Bithumb believes that if these events come to pass, bitcoin prices could rise to the $42,000 mark in the next 12 months.

Researchers at the South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb have identified seven factors that could have a major impact on the price of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in 2023. In the report, titled 2023 Virtual Asset Market Outlook, Bithumb researchers claim that if these events come to pass, bitcoin prices could rise to the $42,000 mark in the next 12 months.

The seven factors identified by Bithumb are graded with a star rating out of four, with four stars denoting an event with maximum significance on the market. Additionally, the events are categorized as either Bearish, Unknown, Neutral, or Bullish.

The first of the four-star bull events identified by Bithumb is the Federal Reserve’s forthcoming decision to ease austerity measures. This move is widely expected to encourage investment in crypto, and spark a prolonged recovery for major tokens.

The second four-star bull event identified by Bithumb is whether or not Russia will green-light its trading companies to use cryptoassets as a means of settlement in cross-border deals. Russia has been frozen out of dollar-powered trading in most markets, but crypto-powered trade deals could provide an alternative for Moscow – despite some uncertainty from the nation’s crypto-skeptic Central Bank.

The two other three-star bull events identified by Bithumb are the approval of a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States, and the launch of the Libra cryptocurrency project by Facebook. The approval of a bitcoin ETF would provide more liquidity and stability to the crypto market, while the launch of Libra would be a major step forward for the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies.

The remaining three-star bear events identified by Bithumb are the US government’s potential crackdown of crypto exchanges, the launch of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) by China, and the introduction of a global regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. The US government’s potential crackdown on crypto exchanges could have a major impact on the market, while a CBDC from China would be a major blow for the blockchain industry. The introduction of a global regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies could have both positive and negative effects on the market, depending on the details of the framework.

Overall, the seven factors identified by Bithumb could have a major impact on the price of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in 2023. It remains to be seen whether these events will come to pass, but if they do, there is a strong chance that the bear market will give way to bullish forces for a sustained period.

• South Korea’s National Tax Service has launched a special tax investigation into Bithumb Korea and Bithumb Holdings.
• Prosecutors have summoned a major shareholder for questioning.
• Bithumb was previously hit with a tax bill worth over $64 million in 2018.

The South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb is facing a double blow from the authorities in the country, with both the tax and legal authorities taking action. The National Tax Service has launched a special tax investigation into Bithumb Korea and Bithumb Holdings, with officers dispatched to the headquarters of the two companies in Seoul on January 10th.

The investigation is being carried out by a branch of the Bureau of Investigation of the Seoul Regional Tax Service that deals with “special tax investigations”, and is intended to examine potential cases of tax evasion. This follows a previous NTS investigation in 2018 which saw Bithumb hit with a tax bill worth over $64 million.

In addition to the tax investigation, prosecutors are also looking into the ownership of Bithumb. Its ownership is thought to be highly complex, with many shareholders owning stakes. These include a number of publicly listed companies that have no other ties to the blockchain or crypto industries. One of the Vice Presidents of one of these companies was found dead outside his home at the end of last year, with police calling the death a “suspected suicide”.

In response to the investigations, Bithumb has stated that it will “strictly abide by the government’s regulations and strive to normalize the operation of its business.” It remains to be seen what the outcome of the investigation will be, and whether or not Bithumb will face further fines or any other repercussions from the authorities.

• The S&P 500 is set to close its worst year since 2008 and the bond market is about to suffer its worst year in modern history.
• The cryptocurrency market saw Bitcoin and Ethereum close the year with a loss of 65% and 67%, respectively, since registering their all-time highs last year.
• FightOut’s highly-anticipated move-to-earn (M2E) app and fitness chain has attracted more than $2.5 million in presale contributions.

The final trading day of 2022 has left investors and traders around the world filled with anticipation for what the new year has in store. This year has been a difficult one for investors, with the S&P 500 set to close its worst year since 2008 and the bond market already suffering its worst year in modern history. Futures were lower on Friday, with tech stocks leading the selling, as Tesla (TSLA) is still down a staggering 65% for the year and 35% for the month despite a 8% rally on Thursday.

Oil has been much more resilient, sustaining most of its gains from last year when it doubled early on, and is now set to finish up 7%. The dollar has weakened slightly, but will be closing out its best year since 2015 thanks to increased demand via Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

The cryptocurrency market has seen a tumultuous year, with Bitcoin and Ethereum closing out the year with a loss of 65% and 67%, respectively, since registering their all-time highs last year. As investors and traders look to the future, it’s essential to have a diversified portfolio, especially in the quickly-changing crypto markets.

One crypto project that has held the attention of investors is FightOut (FGHT). FightOut’s highly-anticipated move-to-earn (M2E) app and fitness chain has already attracted more than $2.5 million in presale contributions. The project has seen its popularity rapidly grow, with the week-long private sale already raising $1 million. Investors have been drawn to the project’s unique approach to incentivizing people to stay active and healthy, and its focus on providing an accessible, affordable, and sustainable fitness solution.

Other cryptos that have seen an increase in interest include BIT, D2T, TON, and CCHG. These cryptos have seen strong fundamentals and/or technical analysis, making them attractive investments for those looking to diversify their portfolios in the new year.

As the new year approaches, it is important to remember to do your research before investing and to diversify your portfolio. With the ever-changing crypto markets, it is essential to stay informed and up to date with the latest news and trends.

• Liquid, a Japan-based crypto exchange owned by the now-bankrupt FTX exchange, is preparing to return assets to customers in February 2021.
• The Securities Commission of The Bahamas has confirmed that it holds $3.5 billion worth of FTX’s assets.
• COTI Network announced the launch of its updated MultiDAG 2.0 protocol, Bridge 2.0 wallet app, and Explorer 2.0. SafeMoon also released the SafeMoon Token Monetization Innovation.

Cryptocurrency has been a hot topic in recent times, with people of all backgrounds getting involved in the digital asset market. For those brave enough to invest, there are both potential gains and losses to be had. One of the most important things to consider when investing in cryptocurrency is the safety of the exchange you choose.

Recently, Liquid, a Japan-based crypto exchange owned by the now-bankrupt FTX exchange, has announced a plan to return assets to customers starting in February 2021. The company stated that FTX Japan is developing systems to enable its customers to withdraw their assets via Liquid Japan. This process will involve customers opening Liquid Japan accounts by mid-January, followed by balance checks, and the opening of withdrawals in mid-February.

The Securities Commission of The Bahamas has also confirmed that it holds $3.5 billion worth of FTX’s assets, which it had taken possession of in early November. The regulator has stated that these assets will remain in its digital wallets until the Bahamas Supreme Court directs them to distribute the funds to the failed exchange’s customers and creditors, or until they receive clarity about how the firm’s insolvency is to be handled.

In terms of developments, COTI Network recently announced the launch of its updated MultiDAG 2.0 protocol, Bridge 2.0 wallet app, and Explorer 2.0. This protocol heralds the full transition of COTI from a single currency infrastructure to a multi-token network, and it is expected to have a major impact on Cardano (ADA)’s upcoming Djed stablecoin.

SafeMoon also recently released the SafeMoon Token Monetization Innovation, which is designed to reward long-term holders of the SafeMoon token with a share of the platform’s transaction fees. The token has already gained traction with investors, and it is expected to be a major player in the DeFi space in the coming years.

All in all, the cryptocurrency industry has seen a flurry of activity in recent times, with a number of exchanges and networks making major strides. It is hoped that these developments will help bring stability to the industry and make it more accessible to all.

• The Chinese government has announced plans to launch a state-backed „non-fungible token (NFT)“ marketplace.
• Beijing has effectively banned crypto trading, so the new platform will not use blockchain or crypto as its currency – instead, it will use the fiat yuan.
• Private sector secondary markets for „digital collectibles“ in China also use the yuan instead of crypto assets, and transactions are recorded on centralised ledgers.

The Chinese government has announced its intention to launch a state-backed non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace. The move follows on from a ruling from the Hangzhou Internet Court last month that virtual items such as NFTs can be legally recognised as property.

The China Digital Asset Trading Platform will go live on January 1 and will become an official secondary market for digital assets that comply with national regulations. The platform will be powered by the Chinese yuan instead of blockchain or crypto, which are prohibited in the country.

The move is part of a wider effort by the Chinese government to cherry-pick technological advancements associated with the crypto space, while sidelining crypto assets themselves. Private blockchain networks and NFTs are part of this picture, and firms have been encouraged to label their products as „digital collectibles“ rather than NFTs.

Limitations have also been placed on secondary market trading, in a bid to reduce speculation on NFT prices. Private sector secondary markets for „digital collectibles“ exist in China, and these use the yuan instead of crypto assets. Transactions are recorded on centralized ledgers, rather than on a blockchain.

The Chinese government’s move to introduce its own version of a state-backed NFT marketplace has been seen as a way for Beijing to stay ahead of the technological curve, while also ensuring that crypto assets remain on the fringes of the Chinese economy. It remains to be seen how successful the platform will be, but it certainly has the potential to become a major player in the global NFT marketplace.

• Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary’s Twitter account was hacked and started promoting a crypto giveaway scam
• The tweet provided a link which required respondents to send their own digital assets to verify their wallet address in order to receive the giveaway prizes
• Crypto giveaway scams are one of the most prevalent forms of scams in the industry, often involving hacked accounts of famous people and companies

On Thursday, Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary fell victim to a crypto giveaway scam. His Twitter account, which is followed by more than 982,000 users, sent out multiple tweets about a giveaway of 5,000 BTC and 15,000 ETH, with an accompanying image featuring O’Leary himself. The hackers claimed that the giveaway was not a scam, and falsely claimed that Mr. Wonderful had said on CNBC that he planned to give away some cryptocurrencies.

The tweet provided a link that instructed respondents to first send their own digital assets to verify their wallet addresses, to receive the giveaway prizes. Unfortunately, once this was done, no funds were sent to the participants and the scammers made away with the funds sent.

Crypto giveaway scams are one of the most prevalent forms of scams in the industry. These often involve hacked accounts of famous people, politicians, celebrities, and companies that are used to promote fake giveaways. Scammers often impersonate well-known figures like Elon Musk, Michael Saylor, and CZ in order to promote their fraudulent schemes using fake accounts. These individuals, who are leaders in companies such as Tesla, MicroStrategy, and Binance, are commonly targeted.

Notably, the latest scam reportedly used the same website from a previous scam involving a false Musk tweet. Therefore, it is essential for users to be aware of the potential for scams and to exercise caution when engaging in any crypto-related activities, especially when it involves sending funds. It is also important for users to be familiar with the security measures that can be taken to protect their accounts from being hacked.

Overall, crypto giveaway scams can be incredibly damaging, as they involve the impersonation of famous figures and involve users sending their own funds to the scammers. It is important to be vigilant and to ensure that users are taking the necessary steps to protect their accounts.

• Sam Bankman-Fried is expected to enter a plea next week related to criminal charges that he defrauded investors and stole billions of dollars in customer funds.
• Bankman-Fried was arrested in The Bahamas earlier this month and subsequently extradited to the US.
• He has been indicted on 8 criminal charges and the SEC has charged him with „orchestrating a scheme to defraud equity investors in FTX“.

In a dramatic turn of events, Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX is set to enter a plea next week related to criminal charges that he defrauded investors and stole billions of dollars in customer funds. This comes after Bankman-Fried was arrested in The Bahamas earlier this month and subsequently extradited to the United States.

Bankman-Fried was released from jail last week after posting a $250 million bond, but is currently held under house arrest at his family’s residence in Palo Alto, California. The U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan has been handed the case related to FTX’s collapse on Tuesday after the initially assigned judge recused herself due to the fact that her husband’s law firm had advised the crypto exchange.

The Southern District of New York is investigating the former crypto mogul and the disintegration of FTX and its sister trading firm Alameda Research. Bankman-Fried has been indicted on eight criminal charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy by misusing customer funds. Moreover, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged the entrepreneur with „orchestrating a scheme to defraud equity investors in FTX.“

The indictments come after the collapse of FTX in December 2020, which resulted in billions of dollars in losses to its customers, lenders and investors. Bankman-Fried’s alleged mismanagement of the platform led to the closure of the exchange and the subsequent investigation by the SEC.

The case is set to proceed to trial in January 2023, and Bankman-Fried is expected to be arraigned on January 3 of that year. If convicted, Bankman-Fried could face up to 20 years in prison and hefty fines. However, it is still unclear what sentence the court will hand down, if any.

The case has both the cryptocurrency industry and the legal community on edge, as Bankman-Fried faces serious criminal charges, and FTX’s collapse has left investors around the world reeling. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this case will be and how it will shape the future of the cryptocurrency industry.